Day One launch on the Mighty Mississippi

The 2012 Elite Series field is fired up to tackle Wisconsin's Mississippi River on Day One of the 2012 Mississippi River Rumble.

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<p> Spectators as well as family and friends join the Elite Series anglers as they tie up to the docks on the Mississippi River on an early Wisconsin morning.</p>
Spectators as well as family and friends join the Elite Series anglers as they tie up to the docks on the Mississippi River on an early Wisconsin morning.
<p> Crowds of spectators line the shore and watch as anglers go through their morning routines on Day One of the Mississippi River Rumble.</p>
Crowds of spectators line the shore and watch as anglers go through their morning routines on Day One of the Mississippi River Rumble.
<p> Even the bridge overhead gets crowded prior to take-off at the 2012 Elite Series Mississippi River Rumble.</p>
Even the bridge overhead gets crowded prior to take-off at the 2012 Elite Series Mississippi River Rumble.
<p> Elite pros gather under the bridge before competition begins on Day One.</p>
Elite pros gather under the bridge before competition begins on Day One.
<p> A mother mallard corrals her group of newborns away from the idling boats.</p>
A mother mallard corrals her group of newborns away from the idling boats.
<p> Cliff Pace cruises past the official release boat as his boat number is being called.</p>
Cliff Pace cruises past the official release boat as his boat number is being called.
<p> Todd Faircloth idles through boat check and heads towards the river.</p>
Todd Faircloth idles through boat check and heads towards the river.
<p> Scott Ashmore motors out to the main river channel on Day One.</p>
Scott Ashmore motors out to the main river channel on Day One.
<p> Shaw Grigsby follows the line of boats and smiles for the camera.</p>
Shaw Grigsby follows the line of boats and smiles for the camera.
<p> 2012 Bassmaster Classic champion Chris Lane is focused as Day One gets underway.</p>
2012 Bassmaster Classic champion Chris Lane is focused as Day One gets underway.
<p> Skeet Reese and his Marshal slip through boat check and make their way out onto to the river.</p>
Skeet Reese and his Marshal slip through boat check and make their way out onto to the river.
<p> Kelly Jordon is amped up as he starts the morning at the Mississippi River Rumble.</p>
Kelly Jordon is amped up as he starts the morning at the Mississippi River Rumble.
<p> A fan favorite in this event, Dean Rojas, is all business during take-off.</p>
A fan favorite in this event, Dean Rojas, is all business during take-off.
<p> Chris Zaldain sits next to Fred Roumbanis as they prepare tackle for the day.</p>
Chris Zaldain sits next to Fred Roumbanis as they prepare tackle for the day.
<p> Boats stagger throughout the cove as the Day One launch continues.</p>
Boats stagger throughout the cove as the Day One launch continues.
<p> Skeet Reese speaks with Dave Mercer about the Mississippi River near La Crosse, Wis.</p>
Skeet Reese speaks with Dave Mercer about the Mississippi River near La Crosse, Wis.
<p> Fans flood the bridge as Elite pros pass underneath.</p>
Fans flood the bridge as Elite pros pass underneath.
<p> River technician Bill Lowen smiles as he drives by the dock.</p>
River technician Bill Lowen smiles as he drives by the dock.
<p> Rick Clunn makes his way past the boat check.</p>
Rick Clunn makes his way past the boat check.
<p> Randy Howell waves to the crowd as he looks to regain his lead in the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year race.</p>
Randy Howell waves to the crowd as he looks to regain his lead in the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year race.